US Alarmed by Venezuela Blocking Oil While Sanctioning Their Oil
The Associated Press expresses concern that Trump’s 'blockade' of Venezuelan oil could trigger war. The subtext here is the US condemning Venezuela for blocking oil that the US already sanctioned and declared illegal . It’s a masterclass in blaming the victim for problems you created. A 'blockade is illegal outside of warfare,' they state, conveniently omitting the US's own extensive economic
warfare against Venezuela, which has been in full effect since at least 2017, intensifying under both Trump and Biden. This isn't about legality; it's about control. The US has imposed unilateral coercive measures on Venezuela's oil sector for years, designed to cripple its economy. Now, when Venezuela struggles to sell its oil due to these sanctions, the US frets about 'escalation' if Caracas
tries to stop its own oil from leaving without its consent. It appears the only 'legality' that truly matters is American hegemony. One might wonder, how many layers of 'sanctioned' does an oil shipment need before the concern shifts from 'illegality' to 'pure hypocrisy'?